Chapter 10: A Genuine Dinner Invitation

Translator: Tim; Editor: Tehrn/Carolin

Seeing the pale youth's gaze, Ye Mo knew he wouldn't be easily dismissed. While fearless, he disliked being manipulated. Thankfully, he wasn't his former self; the consequences for the original Ye Mo would have been dire.

The pale teenager didn't look trustworthy. Letting him go scot-free would be a waste of his decades in the cultivation realm.

He stared impassively at the cute girl beside him, remaining silent. He was repulsed by her thoughtless actions and their potential consequences, but he equally disliked the pale youth with his deadpan expression. If the youth sought further trouble, Ye Mo wouldn't hesitate to give him a memorable lesson.

Zheng Wenqiao approached, a sneer playing on his lips. "Friend, even Su Mei seems impressed. Let's get acquainted. I'm Zheng Wenqiao. You look familiar." His eyes flickered with contempt, malice, and a hint of pity, as if envisioning Ye Mo begging for mercy.

"F*ck off," Ye Mo retorted, unimpressed. His extensive experience allowed him to read Zheng Wenqiao's intentions.

If provoked, Ye Mo wouldn't hesitate to kill him. He could relocate if necessary, though he acknowledged the legal ramifications of public murder. Old habits die hard; he could always retreat to the mountains.

Ye Mo braced himself for an attack, ready to retaliate. To his surprise, Zheng Wenqiao merely muttered a few words and retreated, his face grim.

Ye Mo deduced that Zheng Wenqiao, intimidated by his physique, would return with reinforcements. He wasn't concerned.

Su Mei looked at Ye Mo, astonished. "Ye Mo, do you know who that was? He's Zheng Wenqiao, the son of the Ning Hai City vice mayor and a member of the influential Qiu family. Everyone at Ning Hai University knows him."

She found Ye Mo's "f*ck off" incredibly bold, yet strangely appealing. Snapping back to reality, she appreciated his earlier assistance in swatting a bothersome fly. Smiling, she said, "Ye Mo, I've heard of you. I'm grateful for your help today. Dinner's on me?"

She considered it an immense honor, a privilege few received. In her mind, Ye Mo would be overjoyed, thanking her profusely.

She was stunned when he stared at her with disgust, ignoring her and heading to the library. A dumbfounded Su Mei was left standing alone in the sun.

After a while, reality hit Su Mei. The cold treatment, the rejection of her dinner invitation—it was utterly unexpected. Feeling insulted, her face flushed crimson.

Determined not to lose face, she entered the library.

Despite being Saturday, the library was crowded. She found Ye Mo by the medical bookshelves, examining one.

Su Mei sneered, considering him pretentious for even being there without a seat. However, several handsome students immediately offered her a seat, eager to impress the university's most beautiful girl.

She chose a spot with a clear view of Ye Mo, reading a book while secretly observing him. She expected him to leave within half an hour.

Hours passed, yet Ye Mo remained, engrossed in his reading. His speed was remarkable; he'd examine three or four books an hour, seemingly reading each cover-to-cover at an incredibly fast pace. Su Mei doubted it was actual reading.

"Pretend all you want," she thought, dismissing his speed as superficial.

Ye Mo, however, was immersed in the medical texts. While impressed by the university's collection, he found it lacking in truly innovative ideas. Regardless, his exceptional memory, enhanced by his Chi Gathering cultivation, allowed for rapid comprehension.

He noted the significant difference between these texts and cultivation techniques. He mused on how much faster he could read at higher cultivation stages.

Su Mei grew impatient. It was 3 PM, and Ye Mo hadn't eaten. Forced to wait, she also went without lunch.

His rejection stung her. It was merely a dinner invitation.

Finally, Ye Mo closed a book and left. Su Mei followed.

"What else?" Ye Mo's voice was icy; he knew she was following.

Su Mei, startled, recovered quickly. "I want to thank you for this morning. Dinner's on me. I don't want to owe you anything."

Ye Mo stared coldly, inwardly sighing at her self-satisfied attitude. He saw only entitlement, lacking any consideration for others.

Footnote: [1] Yu Jian will be referred to as "Jade script" from now on. A jade script is an ancient form of writing tablet, often made of jade, used to inscribe information. In xianxia fiction, they often contain powerful or secret knowledge.